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C. I. HOLSLAG. MASK FOR USE IN ARC WELDING' 0R ALLIED WORK.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21. IEIIB.

Patented June 3, 1919.

/m/EN TmJ CLAUDE J Homme /I TTU/(Nef by welding operators.

CLAUDE J'. HOLSLAG, OF SOUTH ORANGE, EW JERSEY.

i :MASK FOR USE IN ARC-WELDING OR ALLIED WORK.

To all whom z't may concern Be it known that I, CLAUDE J. HoLsLAG, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful ImprovementsA in Masks for Use in Arc-Welding or Allied Work, of which the following is a specification.

In the operation of arc welding whether by a gas flame, such as Oxy-acetylene, or by the electric arc, using carbon or metallic electrodes, as well as in the operation of cutting or reducing by the above methods or others in which an arc flame is used, it is necessary that not only the eyes of the operator be protected from the intensive light of the arc but the exposed portions of the operators face and neck must be protected so as to prevent dangerous burning from the arc.

It is the object of my invention to provide a mask which gives the necessary protection from the are rays under different working conditions but also to provide a mask which is a mechanical protection as it very often happens, where welding and riveting are both going on around a large industrial project, that rivets or other substances are apt to fall and strike some welding operator on the head with serious results.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mask that allows the operator the use of both hands for operating a welding, cutting or reducing apparatus.

Other and further objects will be apparent to one skilled in 'the art after a study of the specification taken in connection with the drawing, wherein Figure 1 illustrates a side elevation of the mask placed in position over the operators head.

Fig. 2 shows the mask tilted up for the purpose of direct observation.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the mask shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, on the line 4 4 of Flg. 3.

Referring now to the details, wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views, the mask has al top portion l which, in my preferred form shown, is rounded to fit the operators head 2 on which a cap 3 is shown in reversed position, which is the usual method of wearing a cap adopted The top portion 1 extends or merges into side portions 4 and 5 whose lower sections 6 and 7 preferably Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 3, 1919.

Application fled October 21, 1918. Serial No. 259,039.

taper downward and inward to a point closely adjacent the shoulders of the wearer thus covering the throat and neck. The front portion 8 carries ina holder 9, which is fastened to portion 8 as by screws 10 and nuts l1, a series of shields 12, 13 and 14 of different colored glass through which the operator ma)r observe the weld or the work that is being performed. These glass shields may consist of any combination of colors, such as one white, one green and one blue, or one green and two ruby. I do not wish to limit myself to any particular combination of colors. t

The receptacle 9, carrying the shields, is mounted in the portion 8 so that the center of the shields is somewhere near in line with the operators eye. The side portions 4 and 5 are bridged by a member 15 which is preferably integral with the top portion 1 thereby bracing the side portions 4 and 5 to prevent their spreading. The bridge 15 also passes downward far enough so as to engage ,the back of the operators head` as at 16, so as to prevent the mask from tipping forward off of the operators head. It will be observed that this construction leaves an opening for the insertion of the operators head between the side portions and the bridge. The lower part of the front 8 bends inward and downward as at 17, terminating in a relatively narrow and stiff part 18 which lserves as a handle for the mask. In some cases I prefer to fasten to the lower portion 18 a fiap 19 of flexible material, such as leather which flap serves the function of further protecting the throat and chest of the operator when the operator is lying on his back welding or doing what is known as overhead welding or cutting. For ordinary welding purposes the flap 19 is not required.

An important feature of my mask is that when the operator requires to have direct observation for the purpose kof climbing a ladder or moving around or fitting anew electrode to his holder, he seizes the mask at the handle part 18 tilting it back on his head, as shown in Fig. 2. This allows the operator to look between theside portions 6 and 7 between the points 20 and 21, the flap 19 when used being thrown back over the portion 17. It will be seen from Fig. 2 that the sides of the face and eyes of the operator are still protected from arc rays coming from anothermachine working in close proximity so that the portions 6 and 7 act as blinders to cut off such interfering rays. It will be apparent that heat rays as well as light rays are cut oil by this construction.

Another important object is obtained in the construction of my mask, as shown in Fig. 2, and that is that when the operator tilts the mask backward for direct observation purposes the inner shield 12 is wiped or rubbed over the head or head-gear, Such as a cap 3, of the operator thus wiping off the moisture that accumulates on the inner shield from the operators breath.

In order to give the operator ventilation, I place some Ventilating means in the top portion 1,\such as a hole 22 over which I fasten a piece of wire gauze 23 which will prevent small objects from falling through the hole 22.

In my preferred form of mask herein described, it will be noted that the different portions are shown one a continuation of the other, forming an integral structure, and I have obtained such a construction by making the mask of papier mch which, after the molding process, is treated with preferably black insulating and refractory aint. This construction produces a mask W ich is very light and stiff since the `exposed edges are preferably reinforced with ratan. A mask constructed as herein described while bein extremely light, possesses a great deal o strength and on account of the curvatures shown aifords great protection y to the 0perator from falling objects. A mask so constructed is well balanced on the operators head either in the normal working position, shown in Fig. 1, or in the direct observation position, shown in Fig. 2, so that the operator has full use of both hands for application to the work before him.

While I have shown a preferred shape of mask, I do not wish to be limited to the exact contour or construction except as limited by the appended claims.

Having thus ascertained the nature of my invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. A ma'sk for use in arc welding or allied work having, top, front and side portions with a bridge acrossthe back joining the side portions, said top portion extending Vfrom one side portion 'to the other completely covering theopening therebetween and forming a rigid protecting cover over the users head, but leaving for the users head an opening extending below said bridge between the side portions and means carried by the `front portion through which the arc may be observed without injury to the user.

2. A mask for use in arc welding or allied work having top, front and side portions, said top portion being rounded over and adaptedl to` rest on the head of the "wearer and merging into said side portions which taper downwardly and preferably inwardly to a point near the shoulders to protect the neck of the wearer, said front portion extending downward and preferably inwardly over the throat of the wearer and carrying means through which the arc may be ob-V served without injury to the observer, and a bridge portion joining said side portions and referably the to portion with them, said ridge portion a apted to pass behind the head of the wearer to assist in holding the mask thereon.

3. A mask for use in arc welding or allied work having top, front and side portions, said top portion having Ventilating means therein and being formed so as to rest on the head of the user and merging into said side portions which taper downwardly near the shoulders to protect the neck of the user, said front portion extending downwardly over the throat' of the user and carrying means through which the arc may be observed without injury to the observer and a bridge4 portion joining said top and side portions but leaving an opening extending elow said bridge between the side portions, said bridge serving also to engage the back of the users head to assist in holding the mask thereon. j

4. A mask 'for use in arc welding or allied work according to claim 2, in which the lower side and front portions terminate in a relatively narrow and stiff part for handling vthe mask as well as giving increased protection to the wearer at the throat.

5. A mask for use in arc welding or allied work according to claim 4, in which a ilexible lap `of suitable material is attached to the lower stiff part of the mask Vfor the purpose described.

6. A mask for use in arc welding or allied work having top, front and side portions with a bridge across the back joining the side portions, but leaving an opening extending below said bridge between the side portions and means carried by the front portion through served without injury to the observer, said mask having two operative positions, one in which the top portion rests on the head of the user and the are observation means is in front of the users eyes; and second, a tilted position in which the front portion rests on the head of the user whereby the lower part of said opening is shifted to a point where the user may have direct observation.

7. A mask for use in arc welding or allied work having top, front and side vportions with a bridge across theback joining the side portions, but leaving an opening extending below said bridge between the side portions and means carried by the front portion through which the arc may be observed without injury to the observer, said which the are may be 'obmask having two operative positions, one in which the top portion rests on the head of the user and the`arc observation means is in front of the users eyes; ,and second, a tilted position in which said observation means in the front portion s'brou ht in contact with the head or head-dress o the user whereby said observation means is wiped oi and the lower part of said opening is shifted to a point where the user may have direct observation.

8. A mask for use in arc w'eldng or allied work having top, frontl and side portions with a bridge portion joining said top and side portions, said to portion to fit over the head of the user, sai front portion carrying shields through which the arc may be observed without injury to the observer, al-l of said mentioned portions being shaped into a one piece rigid structure as described.

In witness whereof, I affix my si ature.

CLAUDE J. HOL AG.

`Corioections in Letters Patent No. 1.3051334) ofte-{th} word "iportionf insert the words but leavingfor the uoes `head an opniingvntenihg below said bridge etwee the side portions; saine page and claim; l'u'xo 57, commencing vitl" th'bword "but" strike out n.11 and including tfno word coriectzims Miel-dif.thath the sam'o may conforn t0 the moordA of the waarin the Patent Oce. l

signodpd :balad this asfph py of July,- A. D., 1919.

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